MLB News

Wilson lands on DL; Rucinski called up

By
David AdlerMLB.com

LOS ANGELES -- The Angels placed left-hander C.J. Wilson on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation on Friday.

Wilson pitched Tuesday and was knocked around by the Astros, allowing six runs in four innings -- but manager Mike Scioscia said Friday, before the Angels' series opener against the Dodgers, that there weren't any obvious injury indications.

LOS ANGELES -- The Angels placed left-hander C.J. Wilson on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation on Friday.

Wilson pitched Tuesday and was knocked around by the Astros, allowing six runs in four innings -- but manager Mike Scioscia said Friday, before the Angels' series opener against the Dodgers, that there weren't any obvious injury indications.

On Thursday, though, Wilson approached Scioscia about going on the disabled list because of the elbow issue. Scioscia said it was Wilson's decision.

"C.J.'s elbow got to a point where it really was tough for him to make the pitches he needed to. We're gonna shut him down, get it evaluated and see where we are," Scioscia said. "When it's not manageable for a player and he can't execute his pitches, you obviously you have to take a step back. That's where we are with Jered Weaver and now we're there with C.J. Wilson."

Wilson was getting tests done on his elbow Friday. After a 5-3 loss later that night, the Angels said Wilson would announce the MRI results himself Saturday morning.

"Really, we're just kind of waiting," pitching coach Mike Butcher said prior to Friday's game. "It's early for me to comment on it. We're going to hear from our medical staff, see what kind of direction we want to go. He's been able to manage his last few starts. I think it's gotten to the point where he wanted to find out in his mind where he's at, really."

Scioscia said Wilson's elbow has been "up and down for a while," and has also been something Wilson has had to manage over the course of his career. Wilson has been able to make his starts this season -- Tuesday's was his 21st of 2015 -- but the inflammation has now apparently become something he can't pitch through.

"Right now, it comes at a time where I would say you don't quite expect it," Butcher said. "He knows what's going on inside his body. It's something internal that obviously you can't see with your eyes."

In a corresponding move Friday, the Angels called up right-hander Drew Rucinski from Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Halos' starting pitcher for Sunday, Wilson's scheduled spot, has yet to be determined. Rucinski, the club's No. 27 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was 5-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 17 starts at Triple-A. He would be an option, as would Adam Wilk -- who would have to be added to the 40-man roster -- or a staff/bullpen day headed by Cory Rasmus.

Weaver, who made a rehab start for Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Thursday, will make a second rehab start on Tuesday, Scioscia said. Scioscia said Weaver will hopefully throw around 75-80 pitches in the second rehab start.

Weaver said he felt good after Thursday's start as far as his physical health and stamina, and that his mechanics have improved.

"I'm not far off, that's for sure," he said. "The more I kept throwing, the timing was getting better and better. I was able to get out over my front side and get more extension, the hip wasn't barking."

Weaver also said Wilson being placed on the DL would not affect his own return timetable.

Worth noting

• Efren Navarro was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday. Navarro had been designated off the active roster on Wednesday until the Angels were allowed to obtain optionable waivers to send him to Triple-A.

• Former pitcher Mark Langston has been away from the Angels radio booth the last three games while dealing with a family matter. Langston could return to his role as a color commentator alongside Terry Smith at some point next week. Jose Mota has filled in in the meantime.

David Adler is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @_dadler.